Chapter Fifteen: Waking Hours
First light crept through the curtains in Erts' loft, drawing a line to a futon, where two sleepers lay, pressed together. A cat ear twitched, as Kizna woke up, staring at the blond man who lay there in great calm. Good god, tell me we did not do what I think we did.
She tugged at the cover of the futon, looking down at their bodies. His arm draped over the curve of her hip, another one pillowing the back of her head.
Kizna saw a lavender bra, tossed near a television, still crackling with blue light and white noise. I don't want to think where the rest of the clothes landed. And as for his, I just hope I didn't rip them to shreds!
She ran a hand over the sunny hair, and grazed his forehead. A smile blossomed on his lips, as he stirred, sighing. How does one man look so lovely when he sleeps?
Kizna leaned over, pressing a kiss to Erts' bare, milky shoulder. His eyes fluttered open, and he yawned.
"Ohayo koneko," he murmured.
"Ohayo," she replied, as he snuggled closer, reaching up to tousle her hair.
Erts leaned in, rubbing his nose against Kizna's, and feathered a soft kiss across her lips.
Tears fell down her face, onto his.
"Don't cry, beautiful," he whispered. "I'm not here to hurt you."
"But I---but you---but how?" Kizna looked away. Is this what they call the consolation prize? The mercy screw? Are we talking about a one-night stand here? What's going on?
"Kizna," Erts asked, "where would you like this to lead?"
"What do you mean?"
"I wasn't exactly reluctant. And I didn't do this out of pity." He paused. "And I think that you're better than any consolation prize. Understand?"
Kizna nodded her head, resting her head on Erts' shoulder.
She had shown up at the door, red-eyed, and hunched in.
"Erts," she said, collapsing into his arms.
He guided her to a sofa, and brought her a cup of chamomile tea.
She drank the cup in silence. Erts watched her, wondering what to say.
"I couldn't stay with Clay and Saki." And tonight, at least, I don't want to go home.
"Tell me, Kizna, what exactly went down there?"
She told him the details of that conversation.
He shook, from rage and shock, at the end of the story. Oh, god, what are they going to do when they learn the truth?
"You've had a long day, and so have I. What say we do something mindless?" Erts turned on a television, and pulled a blanket out of a closet, flipping channels. "Here it is---just what you and I need right now. They're showing The Full Monty tonight. You want some ice cream?"
"No thanks," Kizna replied, as she opened the blanket out. I'm not hungry, and I don't want to think.
Erts walked into the kitchen---a whitewashed, narrow galley---and retrieved a pint of mocha turtle chunk, grabbing two spoons from a utensil drawer.
He sat down, handing a spoon to Kizna. "If you change your mind," he said, digging into the pint. Talk about your double whammy days. Hope she doesn't do anything drastic.
Kizna watched him as he nibbled at the ice cream. He really does look cute, the way he eats. Wait a minute. Cute? Where did that come from? Look at the way those eyes crinkle---his lips graze the spoon---and is that his tongue? Come on. Compose yourself. This is your ex-fiancé's former boyfriend here. And you're still reeling from the day's events.
"Kizna?" Erts gave her a soft look. Come on, girl, talk to me.
"Huh?" Oh, that's brilliant, Towryk! May as well say, "Which way did he go, George? Which way did he go?" You're acting like a complete and utter idiot---I mean, this is Erts. Chill out.
"You don't have to say anything, if I'm making you uncomfortable. But I want you to know, I am here for you."
"Thanks," Kizna answered. She picked up her spoon and dug into the ice cream.
"I thought you didn't want any." Erts gave her a mock-pout.
"And where is it written that I can't change my mind?"
After three pints of ice cream, a huge bowl of popcorn, and an order of barbecued beef brisket from Miss Jolene's BBQ, the two surveyed the mess they'd made of the living room. Kizna held a hand over her mouth, trying not to belch. "Sorry about that, Erts."
He laughed. "Tell you how you can make it up. Help me clear this all away."
"Okay," she replied. "Where do you want to start?"
He threw her a towel. "Start with the dishes. I'll wash, you dry."
An hour passed, as the two cleaned the kitchen and the area around the television.
Erts folded down the futon frame, and brought out linens. He made up the bed, added pillows, and gave a whistle. "Will you require a chocolate on the pillow, Miss?"
Kizna smiled, giving him a hug.
"You've really gone out of your way tonight."
"No I haven't. Do you need anything else? A toothbrush, warm milk, a pair of jammies?"
"I can sleep as I am, thanks." And right now I really do need some sleep.
Erts kissed her on the cheek. "You're a wonderful woman, Kizna. Try not to be mad."
"I'm not really mad. Just hurt." How could you know what was happening, Saki, and not utter a word, not in seven years? That's one thing I fail to understand.
Soft lips brushed against Kizna's forehead, moving down to the cheeks, and pausing at her mouth.
She started a moment, at the current that Erts' mouth had sparked. I don't want to be alone.
"Erts, hold me, please?" Just a little while, let me feel your arms around me, your heart, your breathing. I won't ask for more.
"Kizna," Erts murmured, kissing her, "I'll be here as long as you need me." Ask me. That's all.
Tender kisses deepened, each more ardent than the last, as the two clung to each other.
Kizna felt herself pulled onto the futon, and a breeze around her. Good god, what a beautiful man.
Erts smiled, feeling the cool skin of the woman whose hands roamed, removing his shirt, tracing the sides of his torso. Sweet. She smells and tastes like honey.
The television droned in the background, as Kizna and Erts explored, taking note of each other's sighs and whispers, the sensitive points at neck and bellybutton, the laughter mingled with sobs and moans. What one could not say, the other understood, as legs tangled, and two bodies joined together. Names became prayers, devout and carnal at once, as the two approached completion.
They fell asleep, sated and still, Erts cradling Kizna to his chest.
"Dear," he said, startling her from reverie, "I'm not here to force you. I want you to know that, whatever you decide, I do care. And if you ask me to wait, then I will."
Kizna stared into Erts' blue-green eyes. He means it. I don't understand.
"I don't know what to make of this. But will you wait for me, Erts?"
"Yes." He gave Kizna a kiss on the forehead.
"Thank you." She smiled.
Erts got up, sprinting to his closet, and returning with two robes.
"So, what would you like for breakfast?" he asked.
Kizna climbed into a robe. "How about we make pancakes?"
"Pancakes it is." He walked into the kitchen, and found a skillet. "So come on, if you're giving me a hand."
Kizna walked into the kitchen, as sunlight streamed into the kitchen windows.
Author's Notes
Hello, and thank you for reading.
UE: tovarishch, how are you? Thank you for the thumbs up. I think Hiead and Zero will be playing a lil' more Truth or Dare.
Cloa: hey, welcome back! How are you? Okay, I plead guilty---lemon as charged. And I'm a little sentimental. I've also seen pictures of Hiead. Although he looks tan in some pictures, he looks a touch light in the anime. As for "Zena," look for a future appearance! I think he could carry off the punkette look very well. What Yamagi knows---hmm---enough to know that crossing the Shadowcatchers is hazardous to your health. As for the food, well, as I have said before, I am a Food Network fanatic, and an inveterate foodie. I'm of the mind that the person who enjoys food also enjoys more amorous pursuits. And yes, there is more to come concerning Clay and Saki. I promise. And thanks for the compliments on the chapter titles and the song choices. Wait till I start adding the ABBA stuff. KLMeri, Cassiel Darkfang, D-chan, Kokushibyou Patorishia, #88, Cayenne, Sandy, lil_angelgirl, Tkawaii, Nozomi-san, martialmercer, seeker, Tatsu-no- Houou, and Kaiyo, greetings. How are you all? Miss hearing from y'all all. Hope everything is well with you. Drop a line!
Coming soon: Hiead gets to work. Zero gets an unwelcome visitor. Clay and Hiead meet---and there's a lot to say. The dinner party takes a strange turn. More to come. Stay tuned!
I welcome your comments---large, small, and all. Do write!
Again, thank you all, and I look forward to hearing from everyone who has read.
Antoinette (poetisa)
First light crept through the curtains in Erts' loft, drawing a line to a futon, where two sleepers lay, pressed together. A cat ear twitched, as Kizna woke up, staring at the blond man who lay there in great calm. Good god, tell me we did not do what I think we did.
She tugged at the cover of the futon, looking down at their bodies. His arm draped over the curve of her hip, another one pillowing the back of her head.
Kizna saw a lavender bra, tossed near a television, still crackling with blue light and white noise. I don't want to think where the rest of the clothes landed. And as for his, I just hope I didn't rip them to shreds!
She ran a hand over the sunny hair, and grazed his forehead. A smile blossomed on his lips, as he stirred, sighing. How does one man look so lovely when he sleeps?
Kizna leaned over, pressing a kiss to Erts' bare, milky shoulder. His eyes fluttered open, and he yawned.
"Ohayo koneko," he murmured.
"Ohayo," she replied, as he snuggled closer, reaching up to tousle her hair.
Erts leaned in, rubbing his nose against Kizna's, and feathered a soft kiss across her lips.
Tears fell down her face, onto his.
"Don't cry, beautiful," he whispered. "I'm not here to hurt you."
"But I---but you---but how?" Kizna looked away. Is this what they call the consolation prize? The mercy screw? Are we talking about a one-night stand here? What's going on?
"Kizna," Erts asked, "where would you like this to lead?"
"What do you mean?"
"I wasn't exactly reluctant. And I didn't do this out of pity." He paused. "And I think that you're better than any consolation prize. Understand?"
Kizna nodded her head, resting her head on Erts' shoulder.
She had shown up at the door, red-eyed, and hunched in.
"Erts," she said, collapsing into his arms.
He guided her to a sofa, and brought her a cup of chamomile tea.
She drank the cup in silence. Erts watched her, wondering what to say.
"I couldn't stay with Clay and Saki." And tonight, at least, I don't want to go home.
"Tell me, Kizna, what exactly went down there?"
She told him the details of that conversation.
He shook, from rage and shock, at the end of the story. Oh, god, what are they going to do when they learn the truth?
"You've had a long day, and so have I. What say we do something mindless?" Erts turned on a television, and pulled a blanket out of a closet, flipping channels. "Here it is---just what you and I need right now. They're showing The Full Monty tonight. You want some ice cream?"
"No thanks," Kizna replied, as she opened the blanket out. I'm not hungry, and I don't want to think.
Erts walked into the kitchen---a whitewashed, narrow galley---and retrieved a pint of mocha turtle chunk, grabbing two spoons from a utensil drawer.
He sat down, handing a spoon to Kizna. "If you change your mind," he said, digging into the pint. Talk about your double whammy days. Hope she doesn't do anything drastic.
Kizna watched him as he nibbled at the ice cream. He really does look cute, the way he eats. Wait a minute. Cute? Where did that come from? Look at the way those eyes crinkle---his lips graze the spoon---and is that his tongue? Come on. Compose yourself. This is your ex-fiancé's former boyfriend here. And you're still reeling from the day's events.
"Kizna?" Erts gave her a soft look. Come on, girl, talk to me.
"Huh?" Oh, that's brilliant, Towryk! May as well say, "Which way did he go, George? Which way did he go?" You're acting like a complete and utter idiot---I mean, this is Erts. Chill out.
"You don't have to say anything, if I'm making you uncomfortable. But I want you to know, I am here for you."
"Thanks," Kizna answered. She picked up her spoon and dug into the ice cream.
"I thought you didn't want any." Erts gave her a mock-pout.
"And where is it written that I can't change my mind?"
After three pints of ice cream, a huge bowl of popcorn, and an order of barbecued beef brisket from Miss Jolene's BBQ, the two surveyed the mess they'd made of the living room. Kizna held a hand over her mouth, trying not to belch. "Sorry about that, Erts."
He laughed. "Tell you how you can make it up. Help me clear this all away."
"Okay," she replied. "Where do you want to start?"
He threw her a towel. "Start with the dishes. I'll wash, you dry."
An hour passed, as the two cleaned the kitchen and the area around the television.
Erts folded down the futon frame, and brought out linens. He made up the bed, added pillows, and gave a whistle. "Will you require a chocolate on the pillow, Miss?"
Kizna smiled, giving him a hug.
"You've really gone out of your way tonight."
"No I haven't. Do you need anything else? A toothbrush, warm milk, a pair of jammies?"
"I can sleep as I am, thanks." And right now I really do need some sleep.
Erts kissed her on the cheek. "You're a wonderful woman, Kizna. Try not to be mad."
"I'm not really mad. Just hurt." How could you know what was happening, Saki, and not utter a word, not in seven years? That's one thing I fail to understand.
Soft lips brushed against Kizna's forehead, moving down to the cheeks, and pausing at her mouth.
She started a moment, at the current that Erts' mouth had sparked. I don't want to be alone.
"Erts, hold me, please?" Just a little while, let me feel your arms around me, your heart, your breathing. I won't ask for more.
"Kizna," Erts murmured, kissing her, "I'll be here as long as you need me." Ask me. That's all.
Tender kisses deepened, each more ardent than the last, as the two clung to each other.
Kizna felt herself pulled onto the futon, and a breeze around her. Good god, what a beautiful man.
Erts smiled, feeling the cool skin of the woman whose hands roamed, removing his shirt, tracing the sides of his torso. Sweet. She smells and tastes like honey.
The television droned in the background, as Kizna and Erts explored, taking note of each other's sighs and whispers, the sensitive points at neck and bellybutton, the laughter mingled with sobs and moans. What one could not say, the other understood, as legs tangled, and two bodies joined together. Names became prayers, devout and carnal at once, as the two approached completion.
They fell asleep, sated and still, Erts cradling Kizna to his chest.
"Dear," he said, startling her from reverie, "I'm not here to force you. I want you to know that, whatever you decide, I do care. And if you ask me to wait, then I will."
Kizna stared into Erts' blue-green eyes. He means it. I don't understand.
"I don't know what to make of this. But will you wait for me, Erts?"
"Yes." He gave Kizna a kiss on the forehead.
"Thank you." She smiled.
Erts got up, sprinting to his closet, and returning with two robes.
"So, what would you like for breakfast?" he asked.
Kizna climbed into a robe. "How about we make pancakes?"
"Pancakes it is." He walked into the kitchen, and found a skillet. "So come on, if you're giving me a hand."
Kizna walked into the kitchen, as sunlight streamed into the kitchen windows.
Author's Notes
Hello, and thank you for reading.
UE: tovarishch, how are you? Thank you for the thumbs up. I think Hiead and Zero will be playing a lil' more Truth or Dare.
Cloa: hey, welcome back! How are you? Okay, I plead guilty---lemon as charged. And I'm a little sentimental. I've also seen pictures of Hiead. Although he looks tan in some pictures, he looks a touch light in the anime. As for "Zena," look for a future appearance! I think he could carry off the punkette look very well. What Yamagi knows---hmm---enough to know that crossing the Shadowcatchers is hazardous to your health. As for the food, well, as I have said before, I am a Food Network fanatic, and an inveterate foodie. I'm of the mind that the person who enjoys food also enjoys more amorous pursuits. And yes, there is more to come concerning Clay and Saki. I promise. And thanks for the compliments on the chapter titles and the song choices. Wait till I start adding the ABBA stuff. KLMeri, Cassiel Darkfang, D-chan, Kokushibyou Patorishia, #88, Cayenne, Sandy, lil_angelgirl, Tkawaii, Nozomi-san, martialmercer, seeker, Tatsu-no- Houou, and Kaiyo, greetings. How are you all? Miss hearing from y'all all. Hope everything is well with you. Drop a line!
Coming soon: Hiead gets to work. Zero gets an unwelcome visitor. Clay and Hiead meet---and there's a lot to say. The dinner party takes a strange turn. More to come. Stay tuned!
I welcome your comments---large, small, and all. Do write!
Again, thank you all, and I look forward to hearing from everyone who has read.
Antoinette (poetisa)